Compassion, Integrity & Experience in an Adversarial World

Firm Overview

When facing legal issues, it is important to choose an attorney who can advocate for your interests without increasing the antagonism in your case. One of the most important decisions during an impending divorce is to choose an attorney that can best represent you while balancing the financial and emotional costs of litigation. I understand that most clients desire to resolve their matters on an amicable basis outside of court and I negotiate equitable and fair settlements whenever possible. If certain matters cannot be settled, I am ready, willing and able to litigate the unresolved issues. Our firm represents clients throughout San Diego County in family law matters such as divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, property division, domestic violence restraining orders, paternity, marital settlement agreements and post-judgment modifications.

Example cases

Unlike many civil and criminal cases, the privacy of the parties and children involved in family matters are greatly valued and details should not be discussed. Our firm handles divorce (dissolution), child custody, child visitation, child support, spousal support (alimony), property division, post-judgment orders and other family law issues.

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Office Manager

Office Manager

Emergency After Hours

No

Languages Spoken

English, Spanish on staff

Is your firm willing to help a client with one discrete part of a case, without taking on the whole case?

Yes. This is called unbundled services or limited scope representation. When a client wants representation during the most important part of their case, for example, at a hearing for child custody and visitation, we can determine what our involvement will be and what will work best for the client and the issues at hand.

What are your policies about dividing work within the firm to make the process most cost-effective for the client?

Generally, work is completed by the most cost-efficient team member. We also understand there are times that this may not always happen when there are deadlines, vacations or when a team member is sick. However, in that circumstance, for example, an attorney may prepare pleadings or make a phone call that a paralegal would normally do, but that attorney will bill our client, for that specific activity only, at the hourly billing rate of a paralegal. We will NOT unnecessarily delay a client's case.

How frequently does your firm use mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law to resolve cases?

I understand that most clients desire to resolve their matters on an amicable basis outside of court and I negotiate equitable and fair settlements whenever possible. If certain matters cannot be settled, I am ready, willing and able to litigate the unresolved issues.

I am a member of the Modest Means panel of the Lawyer Referral and Information Service of the San Diego County Bar Association. For this program, potential clients are screened to determine if they qualify and meet the program's income and asset guidelines and then matched with an attorney on the panel.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I spend a great deal of time explaining the legal process to my clients so they have a better idea how pleadings, deadlines, and procedural requirements affect their case. In my experience, a better understanding of the process helps to ease some anxiety and answers many questions. Some clients want to know and comprehend the legal issues in depth and others do not. I understand it is a personal preference, but I encourage clients to take ownership in their case and understand the legal process and issues and support them in any way I can.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Yes. Individuals may seek to participate in preparing for their case in different ways and depending on their level of involvement, together we can determine the best way we can work as a team to best pursue our client's objectives.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

Yes. Sometimes understanding and complying with the procedural requirements of preparing for a case is half of the battle. I understand that, because of limited financial ability, a person may not be able to afford representation at a hearing or trial. Our firm can help prepare documents, declarations and exhibits for you and walk you through the process while you prepare to represent yourself at a hearing.

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.